EP0914761B1 - Carrier vehicle with a suspension for working units being fixed on both sides - Google Patents

Abstract

The work appliances have extension arms (13,14) with associated energy accumulators (20,21) which are attached at one end to the extension arms and at the other end are coupled together through a connecting compensating device (23) which allows a compensating movement directed at least approximately across the travel direction (F). The connecting and compensating device is guided in the middle area in relation to the position with the support vehicle between the extension arms and act as a compensating balance. The connecting compensating device can be formed as a crank drive consisting of guide rods swivel mounted on the holder and of a connecting rod (30).

Description

The invention relates to a carrier vehicle with a suspension for attached to it on both sides Working units according to the preamble of claim 1, which are preferably used in agriculture and / or municipal area. These include, for example, mowers, Mulchers or sweepers working in a combination of working aggregates in their working position have large working widths.

In DE 44 05 858 C1 a suspension for one or both sides is attached to a carrier vehicle Work units proposed, in which the work units over one by one in Direction of travel aligned pivot axis pivotally mounted on the carrier vehicle and in Working position extending across the direction of travel as well as an adjoining, pivoted about a further pivot axis pointing in the direction of travel Support arm and a subsequent suspension attached to an upper wall of the work units are hung. For transferring such suspended work units from the working position in a transport position and vice versa, a kinematic device is required with which at the same time the boom swiveling on the chassis from an approximately horizontal position pivoted below while the support arm with the working unit attached to it upwards is pivoted. The suspension described above is an adjustment or reduction the contact force of the working aggregates on the ground (working and operating position) in general not provided.

DE 83 18 249 U1 discloses a front mower, in which at least two each side by side arranged mowing drums over extending in the working position transverse to the direction of travel Booms are attached on both sides to a bearing block of the front mower, with the booms around Axes pointing in the direction of travel from the horizontal working position into a vertical transport position are foldable. Fastening ropes are included to adapt to terrain deviations Damping springs are provided, which extend approximately from the center of the boom to an attachment point extend on the bearing block of the front mower, so that a conditional adjustment in the working position the contact force to different soil conditions is possible. However, the position of the carrier vehicle and thus also the position of the bearing block relative to the to Mower drums mounted on the boom, e.g. when driving through holes in the ground on one side, Furrows or the like. Changed, it may happen that the spring force to adjust the contact force on a boom of the front mower is raised so that the cutting drums are no longer rest on the ground while the other boom's mowing drums are at maximum Lying force on the ground. In such cases, of course, optimal work results cannot be achieved be achieved.

From AU-A-35452 a mower with several knife rollers is known, which has three knife rollers in a basic configuration with a mowing width of about 2.4 m as mower units. In a transport position, all mower units are supported on the ground on a chassis designed with three drivable wheels. Here, a front axle with wheels attached to it, together with a trailing rear wheel, form a steerable, three-wheeled vehicle for the mower. In the working position, in the direction of travel, there is a knife roller aligned transversely to the direction of travel, approximately in the middle of each wheel of the front axle. The knife rollers or their housings are pivotally connected to one another and to the chassis at the mutually associated ends by means of a bracket, a rail and further fastening elements. The third knife roller, together with its housing, is arranged in the center between the front axle and the trailing rear wheel as an independent mower unit in the free space under the chassis and suspended on it in a pivotable and resilient manner.
This avoids the risk of turf damage due to the weight of the mower units and their suspensions, in particular the two front knife rollers as a result of sliding runners attached under the knife rollers, and for locking in a transport position in which the manually raised knife rollers are aligned in an orientation of approx. 45 ° are arranged to the ground, the knife rollers or the mower units are each connected via a chain to a leg of a support arm designed as an angle lever or suspended from it. The latter in turn is, however, mirror-inverted for each knife roller in the region of its swivel connection, and can be swiveled and locked at a distance from one another in each case on a bolt oriented in the direction of travel on the end face of the chassis. There is a compression spring between the two free legs of the support arms, each of which engages at the end on a bolt on the support arm. The compression spring contributes to the fact that up to 70% of the weight of the mower unit is transferred to the chassis and thus to the wheels of the front axle. A uniform weight distribution for even pressure of the mower units on the turf is also carried out by means of the support arms which are pivotally mounted on the chassis in connection with the compression spring. Furthermore, the mower can be retrofitted to a mowing width of approx. 3.80 m by means of an extension attachment, in that the independent mower unit arranged centrally under the chassis is assigned a further mower unit on both sides. The additional mower units are also connected by chains with support arms in the form of an angle lever. The support arms are now pivotally mounted on an extension rail.

This, in turn, is screwed onto the lower frame of the chassis of the mower via fastening elements. The free ends of the angle bracket on the support arms now point upwards, so that an adjustable tension spring can now be mounted between them. There is no lifting device and locking device for the additional mower units belonging to the extension approach, so it can be assumed that the extension approach for road transport must be dismantled. In terms of operation, both the system of weight distribution with a compression spring and the latter system with a tension spring are similar. The lack of such a mower with mower units laterally formed in the working position and a relatively small working width is first of all that there is no suitable device for transferring and locking the mower units into a vertical transport position suitable for road transport. Lifting and / or locking devices with which it is only possible that a mower unit can be manually brought into an inclined position of approximately 45 ° to the ground on one side are not suitable for carrier vehicles on which several implements are combined and thus in their working position have large working widths of more than nine meters.
Likewise, a system described above, disclosed in AU-A 35452, of a weight distribution of two mower units arranged next to one another by means of a compression or tension spring held on support arms cannot be used bel to a carrier vehicle with working units arranged between the front and rear wheels. In the known systems, only a compression spring or a tension spring is present as an energy store, so that the direction of force between the fastening points of the compression or tension spring on the support arms is always on a straight line. This presupposes that there must be a free space between the support arms for the energy accumulator (compression or tension spring) and the environment for kinematic movements when the energy accumulator is exciting or relaxing. In the case of carrier vehicles of the above type, there is no central area which corresponds to this free space, since this is required as installation space by the chassis or by drive elements such as gear units with drives and drives.

The object of the invention is therefore a carrier vehicle with a suspension for both sides of this to create arranged working units with which a mutual adjustment of the contact force of the working units on the ground in the working and operating position is achievable. Furthermore, it should be possible that the Working units attached on both sides of the carrier vehicle regardless of any Inclination of the carrier vehicle always with an equal force on both sides lie on the ground.

To solve the task, the carrier vehicle is characterized by a suspension for both sides arranged on this working units of the type mentioned by the in claim 1 specified characteristics. With regard to the further embodiment of the invention referred to claims 2 to 15.

Possibilities are shown by the invention, such as in a simpler and thus more cost-effective way A mutual adjustment of the contact forces from both sides between the front and rear wheels on work vehicles attached to a carrier vehicle on the ground different soil and / or operating conditions can be reached. This means that the support forces, with which the working units attached on both sides of the carrier vehicle, such as Mowers, mulchers or sweepers lie on the ground on both sides are always the same size. It is irrelevant whether the carrier vehicle is on a level surface Surface moves or whether the carrier vehicle is in an inclined position, for example when Driving through furrows or holes in the ground. The adjustment of the support forces of the work units on the ground or on the turf of the field or meadow to be mowed can be optimized by changing the size of the contact forces from a minimal to a Makes maximum value adjustable.

About the mutual adjustment of the contact forces in a carrier vehicle described above To achieve, it is provided according to the invention, the booms for receiving the work units Assign energy storage, which one end articulated to the booms and at the other end to the chassis the carrier vehicle is supported and guided, shares of a weight of the boom associated work unit receiving, connecting and compensating device with each other are coupled, the at least approximately transversely to the direction of travel compensating movement with different force directions of the individual weight forces of cantilevers with work units allows.

In a simple embodiment of the invention, the connection and compensation device formed as an approximately vertically arranged handlebar, which can be pivoted on the chassis the carrier vehicle is mounted and energy storage at one end at the free end of the handlebar in one Support bearings rotatably coupled to each other and at the other end to a boom are articulated.

In a further simple embodiment of a connection and compensation device the handlebar from one of the pivoting joints in the corner areas triangular segment formed. Here, a connection point is pivotable on Fixed chassis of the carrier vehicle and the still free connection points are each with coupled to one end of an energy store. The free ends of the energy accumulator are in turn each hinged to a boom.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention has a connection and compensation device on, which is designed as a crank mechanism, which consists of two on the chassis of the carrier vehicle pivotally mounted links and is formed from a connecting link. The on the outrigger arms are attached to their other End at connection points between the handlebars of the crank mechanism and the connecting link pivotally attached.

An embodiment of the connecting and compensating device as a crank mechanism is advantageous because a central area that is occupied by the carrier vehicle and is located in a longitudinal orientation of the carrier vehicle between the brackets for the working units arranged on both sides and is required as installation space, for example of the chassis and / or drive means how transmission units are filled with drives and drives, can be bridged with the connecting link by choosing its length and with appropriate adjustment of the distance of the bearing and support points on the chassis or on a bracket firmly connected to the chassis and via the handlebars on the chassis in connection with the connecting link there is enough space for the kinematic movements when the work units are transferred from a working and operating position to a transport position and back for the energy accumulator. With sufficient free space or space between the energy accumulators and the connecting and compensating device, their handlebars can in an ideal position, ideally for a favorable load, be oriented on the chassis in such a way that their longitudinal alignment is approximately on the bisector of the included angle between the Force direction of the energy accumulator and the longitudinal alignment of the connecting link.
According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the connecting link of the connecting and compensating device designed as a crank mechanism is adjustable in length. The size of the working force of the working units on the ground can thus be adjusted in a simple manner. For example, by repositioning a bolt on the connecting link made of an inner and an outer section, an adjustment / adjustment of the contact force of both work units can then be carried out. In order to rule out impermissible pivoting movements of the connecting and compensating device designed as a crank mechanism, end stops are provided, against which the handlebars of the crank mechanism can rest.

In general, all embodiments of a connecting and compensating device form whether pivotable arranged or guided, a balance for mutual adjustment of the contact forces from the working aggregates on the ground. Even when the carrier vehicle is tilted in the working position by a sliding or swiveling movement of Components of the connection and compensation device forcefully compensate for the inclination, by the same large forces occurring in the two energy stores or being effective.

Another advantageous aspect of the invention is that by connecting the preferably designed as tension springs in a so-called series connection Force / displacement characteristic curve becomes flatter, so that this compensates for uneven ground Working unit the bearing force on the ground is hardly affected.

Fig.1

ein schematisch dargestelltes Trägerfahrzeug mit als Mäh- und Aufbereitungseinheiten ausgeführten Arbeitsaggregaten in einer Arbeits- und Betriebsstellung;

Fig.2

eine vergrößerte, schematische Schnittdarstellung gemäß Schnitt II-II in Fig.1 jedoch ohne Arbeitsaggregate in einem Zustand, in dem sich die Ausleger zur Aufnahme der Arbeitsaggregate in einer Arbeits- und Betriebsstellung befinden;

Fig.3

eine Schnittdarstellung ähnlich Fig.2 mit einem Ausleger in Arbeits- und Betriebsstellung und einem Ausleger in einer Transportstellung;

Fig.4

ein perspektivische Darstellung eines Ausführungsbeispieles eines erfindungsgemäßen Verbindungslenkers;

Fig.5

eine schematische Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen, als Kurbelgetriebe ausgeführten Verbindungs- und Ausgleichseinrichtung mit den daran angreifenden Kräften in einem Zustand, in dem sich das Trägerfahrzeug auf einer ebenen Fläche bewegt;

Fig.6

eine Darstellung ähnlich Fig.5 in einem Zustand, in dem sich das Trägerfahrzeug in einer Schrägstellung befindet;

A detailed description of the subject matter of the invention will now be given using an exemplary embodiment. The drawing shows in detail:

Fig.1

a schematically illustrated carrier vehicle with working units designed as mowing and processing units in a working and operating position;

Fig.2

an enlarged, schematic sectional view according to section II-II in Figure 1 but without work units in a state in which the boom for receiving the work units are in a working and operating position;

Figure 3

a sectional view similar to Figure 2 with a boom in the working and operating position and a boom in a transport position;

Figure 4

a perspective view of an embodiment of a connecting link according to the invention;

Figure 5

is a schematic representation of a connecting and compensating device according to the invention, designed as a crank mechanism, with the forces acting thereon in a state in which the carrier vehicle is moving on a flat surface;

Figure 6

a representation similar to Figure 5 in a state in which the carrier vehicle is in an inclined position;

A possible work aggregate combination 1 is in Fig.1 shown and consists of both sides of one self-propelled carrier vehicle 2 between the front and rear wheels 3.4 arranged work units 5.6 and one attached directly in front of the front wheels 3 Working unit 7. In the working unit combination 1 is an exemplary embodiment in which as the working units 5,6,7 a mowing and processing unit 8 for harvesting agricultural Crop is used. Such a mowing and processing unit 8 consists of a mower 9 as well composed of a conditioner 10, the mower 9 about rotating in approximately vertical axes of rotation 11 and Working tools designed as cutting elements 12 includes. However, mulchers, Sweepers or the like. Working units with completely different work tools are used. A self-propelled work vehicle and prime mover or one of a kind agricultural tractor and traction engine Driving unit may be provided. For the sake of a better one The carrier vehicle 2 is only schematic for clarity shown.

As can further be seen from FIG. 1 and from FIGS. 2 and 3 is the pivotable attachment of the work units 5.6 over boom 13.14, which around Pivot axes 15, 16 pivotable on the chassis 17 of the Carrier vehicle 2 are stored and with the help of a Actuators 18, 19 generating tensile or compressive force from an approximately horizontal working and operating position in an approximately vertical transport position and are transferable back. To provide a optimal adjustment of the contact force of the work units 5.6 on the ground are 13.14 energy stores for the cantilevers 20,21 assigned, which is a storage element 22 on the arms 13, 14 to form a connection and compensating device 23 extend. In a advantageous embodiment is the connection and compensation device 23 arranged so that this a middle one between the arms 13, 14 Area 24 (FIGS. 2 and 3) of the carrier vehicle 2 bridged. The connection and compensation device 23 is designed as a crank gear that two pivotable about pivot axes 25, 26 on one Bracket 27 firmly connected to the chassis 17 articulated links 28, 29 and from a connecting link 30 exists. At joints 31,32 between the links 28, 29 and the connecting link 30 is in the embodiment shown in Figures 2 and 3 the pivotable articulation of the preferably four tension springs 33 arranged parallel to each other Lift mechanism 20, 21 to the connection and compensation device 23 is provided. To avoid of uncontrolled pivoting movements of the handlebars 28, 29 or the entire connection and compensation device 23 end stops 34, 35 are provided which are firmly attached the bracket 27 are attached and the handlebars 28.29 serve as a support.

In Figure 4 is a perspective view the connecting link 30 illustrated in more detail. As can be seen from this illustration, The link arm 30 includes an inner portion 36 and an outer section 37, both sections 36,37 telescopically pluggable are. The outer section is with cross holes 38 provided so that by repositioning a pin 39th the length L of the connecting link 30 can be changed. Due to this change in length, the size of the contact force of the work units 5.6 on the ground between a minimum value and a maximum value or be adjusted. For transferring the work units 5.6 from the working and operating position in the transport position, it may be necessary that the Length L of the connecting link 30 can be reduced automatically is, this is preferably by the attachment an elongated hole 40 in the inner section 36 the link 30 is accessible. This case occurs when the relaxed length of the energy accumulator 20.21 is larger than the shortest kinematic Distance between the bearing elements 22 of the boom 13, 14 and the connection points 31, 32 of the connection and compensation device 23. This results in a easy way to length the link L 30 and thus the size of the tracking force of Work units 5.6 to adjust on the ground, because in the transfer of the work units 5.6 from the Working and operating position in the transport position or vice versa the stress on the connection and Compensation device 23 suspended for a short period becomes.

From the schematic shown in Figures 5 and 6 Representations go the principle of operation of the invention out. For example, it turns out to be a crank gear executed connection and compensation device 23 (balance scale) so that the Forces F1 (Fig.5) or F2 (Fig.6) are equal. there is irrelevant whether the carrier vehicle 2 is on a flat surface (swivel axes 25, 26 are on the same Height) or whether the carrier vehicle is in a Inclination (pivot axis 25 is opposite pivot axis 26 raised by path S).

Although a preferred embodiment in the drawings and the related description has been described, are through from further modifications and designs conceivable. For example, the connection and compensation device 23 as one triangular segment or an approximately vertically arranged Training handlebars, which then on the firmly connected to the chassis 17 of the carrier vehicle 2 Bracket 27 pivotable in the central region 24 are stored and thus at least approximately Allow compensation movement directed transversely to the direction of travel.

Claims (15)

1. Support vehicle (2) with a suspension device for working implements (5, 6) attached to each side of the vehicle preferably for agricultural or municipal use, whereby in order to provide means for raising the height of the working implements (5, 6) at least one movable boom (13, 14) is provided on each side of the chassis (17) of the support vehicle (2) which is capable of rotating about a rotation axis (15, 16) aligned in the travel- and working direction (F) such that a working implement (5, 6) can be accepted at its free end and that each boom (13, 14) together with the working implement (5, 6) attached to it can be transferred from an approximately horizontal position to an approximately vertical travelling position with the help of positioning arms (18, 19) between the chassis (17) and the booms (13, 14) which provide either a tension or compressive force characterised in that the booms (13, 14) for the working implements (5, 6) are provided with power accumulators (20, 21) which are attached by linked joints to one end of the booms (13, 14) while the other end is coupled to a connecting and balancing facility (23) supported and guided by the chassis (17) of the support vehicle (2) which accepts part of the weight of the booms (13, 14) with their associated working implements (5, 6) and the connecting and balancing facility (23) permits an approximate balancing movement at least approximately at right angles to the direction of travel (F) when the lines of force (F1, F2) of the individual weights represented by the booms (13, 14) together with the working implements (5, 6) are dissimilar.
2. Support vehicle (2) in accordance with claim 1, characterised in that the connecting and balancing facility (23) takes the form of an almost vertically arranged connecting arm mounted on the chassis (17) of the support vehicle (2) so as to permit a swinging movement and that the force accumulators (20, 21) are coupled at one end to the free end of the connecting arm in a support bearing in a manner permitting a swinging movement and at the other end are coupled respectively to a boom (13, 14):
3. Support vehicle (2) in accordance with claim 1, characterised in that the connecting and balancing facility (23) is constructed as a triangular-shaped segment capable of a swinging movement and exhibiting connecting points in the respective corners such that one connecting point is supported by the chassis (17) of the support vehicle (2) in a manner permitting a swinging movement while each of the free connection points is coupled with one end of a power accumulator (20, 21) with the free end of the power accumulator articulating with a boom (13 or 14).
4. Support vehicle (2) in accordance with claim 1 characterised in that the connecting and balancing facility (23) has the form of a crank mechanism which consists of connecting arms (28, 29) mounted on the chassis (17) of the support vehicle (2) in a manner permitting a swinging movement together with a connecting bar (30).
5. Support vehicle (2) in accordance with one of the claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the connecting and balancing facility (23) constitutes a balancing system for diverting the weight forces and the direction of those forces generated by the booms (13, 14) plus the attached working implements (5, 6) carried on both sides of the support vehicle (2), and the reaction force of the power accumulators (20, 21) through the central area (24) of the support vehicle (2) forming a construction space occupied by the chassis (17) or its drive elements.
6. Support vehicle (2) in accordance with claim 5, characterised in that the weight and reaction forces of the connecting and balancing facility (23) are diverted through a central area (24) located between the booms (13, 14) and forming a construction space occupied by the chassis (17) of the support vehicle (2) or its drive elements.
7. Support vehicle (2) in accordance with one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the connecting and balancing facility (23) articulates with a holding fixture (27) attached to the support vehicle (2).
8. Support vehicle (2) in accordance with one of claims 4 to 7, characterised in that the length (L) of the connecting bar (30) of the connecting and balancing facility (23) is adjustable.
9. Support vehicle (2) in accordance with one of claims 4 to 8, characterised in that the adjustment of the length (L) of the connecting bar (30) of the connecting and balancing facility (23) is preferably carried out by changing the position of a bolt (39).
10. Support vehicle (2) in accordance with one of claims 4 to 9, characterised in that the length (L) of the connecting bar (30) of the connecting and balancing facility (23) can change automatically under the influence of pressure.
11. Support vehicle (2) in accordance with one of claims 4 to 10, characterised in that the connecting bar (30) of the connecting and balancing facility (23) consists of an inner element (36) and an outer element (37) such that both elements (36, 37) can be telescoped into one another.
12. Support vehicle (2) in accordance with one of claims 4 to 11, characterised in that the force accumulators (20, 21) articulate at one end with connecting locations (31, 32) between the connecting arms (28, 29) and the connecting bar (30) around axes permitting a swinging movement (25, 26) in the connecting and balancing facility (23) while the other end is attached to a boom in a manner permitting a swinging movement.
13. Support vehicle (2) in accordance with one of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the force accumulators (20, 21) of the suspension for the working implements carried on each side of the support vehicle (2) consist each, preferably, of four tension springs (33) arranged parallel to one another.
14. Support vehicle (2) in accordance with one of claims 2, 3 and 4, characterised in that end stops are provided to limit the extent of the swinging movement of the connecting and balancing facility (23).
15. Support vehicle (2) in accordance with claims 4 and 14, characterised in that end stops (34, 35) are provided on the holding fixture (27) to limit the extent of the swinging movement of the connecting arms (28, 29) of the connecting and balancing facility (23) having the form of a crank system.

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